GUIDE
A first tooth anywhere from 4 to 15 months is normal. Late teething is almost always genetic and not a medical concern.
If your baby has no teeth at 10 or 12 months, you are probably worried. The most likely explanation is the most boring one: your baby inherited late-teething genes. Here is when to relax, when to check, and what to expect.
Here is the short answer: almost certainly, yes.
The average baby gets their first tooth between 6 and 7 months. But averages obscure an enormous range. A first tooth at 4 months is normal. A first tooth at 14 months is also normal. Some perfectly healthy babies do not get a single tooth until 15 months or later.
The reason this feels worrying is that parenting culture has turned teething milestones into a competitive sport. When other babies at playgroup are flashing toothy grins and yours is still gumming everything with smooth gums, it is natural to wonder if something is wrong. In almost every case, the answer is no.
Teething timing is largely genetic — it is one of the most hereditary traits in early childhood development. If you or your partner (or especially both of you) were late teethers, your baby is very likely following the same pattern. The teeth are there, sitting in the jawbone, developing on schedule. They are just not in a rush to make their debut.
The most common reason for late teething is the most straightforward one: genetics. Just as some babies walk at 9 months and others at 16 months — both within the range of normal — tooth eruption timing varies widely based on inherited factors. No amount of calcium supplementation or gum massage will make the teeth come faster. They emerge when they are ready.
Premature birth is another common factor that parents sometimes overlook. If your baby was born at 34 weeks, they are roughly 6 weeks behind their chronological age in many developmental areas, and tooth eruption is no exception. Using corrected age — the age your baby would be if they had been born on their due date — gives a more accurate picture. A baby born 8 weeks early who has no teeth at 10 months chronological age is really about 8 months corrected, right on schedule.
Nutritional factors can play a role, though this is uncommon in babies who are receiving adequate breast milk or formula. Vitamin D is the most relevant nutrient for tooth development, and the AAP recommends that all breastfed babies receive 400 IU of vitamin D supplementation daily. Formula-fed babies typically get enough through their formula, provided they are drinking adequate volumes.
Rare medical conditions can delay tooth eruption, but these would almost always be identified through other symptoms long before late teething became the primary concern. Hypothyroidism is screened for at birth, and conditions affecting tooth development (like ectodermal dysplasia) typically present with multiple other features.
| Cause | How Common | Details | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genetics (family history) | Most common cause | If one or both parents were late teethers, there is a strong likelihood the baby will be too. This is the explanation in the vast majority of cases. | None — teeth will come on their own schedule |
| Premature birth | Common factor | Premature babies should be assessed on their corrected age, not their birth age. A baby born 2 months early who has no teeth at 10 months chronological age is really only 8 months corrected — well within the normal range. | Use corrected age for milestones until age 2 |
| Nutritional factors | Uncommon in developed countries | Deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus can delay tooth eruption. This is rare in babies receiving adequate formula or breast milk with vitamin D supplementation. | Ensure baby is getting recommended vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) |
| Hypothyroidism | Rare | Congenital hypothyroidism can delay tooth eruption among other developmental effects. This is screened for at birth in most countries via newborn screening. | Would be identified through newborn screening or other symptoms |
| Genetic conditions | Very rare | Conditions like Down syndrome, ectodermal dysplasia, or rickets can affect tooth development. These would almost always be diagnosed through other symptoms well before teething becomes a concern. | These conditions have multiple other features — delayed teething alone would not be the presenting concern |
Here is how pediatric dentists think about teething timing:
6 to 10 months: The average window for a first tooth. Most babies fall here, which is why parents start expecting teeth around the 6-month mark.
10 to 12 months: Later than average, but extremely common and not a concern. Many pediatric dentists consider this perfectly typical.
12 to 15 months: Late, but still within the range of normal. Worth mentioning at a well-child visit for documentation, but unlikely to prompt any intervention.
15 to 18 months: Approaching the point where evaluation is reasonable. Your pediatrician may refer to a pediatric dentist for reassurance.
18+ months with no teeth: A dental evaluation is recommended. A pediatric dentist can take X-rays to confirm that teeth are present in the jawbone and developing normally. Even at this point, the most common finding is that everything is fine — the teeth are just unusually slow to erupt.
The key point: "late" is a relative term. A baby with no teeth at 11 months is not late by any meaningful medical standard. They are simply on the later end of a very wide normal range.
When you are waiting for late teeth, it helps to log when each one appears once they start. tinylog's milestone tracking lets you record each tooth, building a dental timeline that is useful for both your pediatric dentist and your own peace of mind.
A common worry among parents of late teethers is whether their baby can eat solid foods without teeth. The answer is absolutely yes.
Babies do not need teeth to eat most age-appropriate solid foods. Their gums are surprisingly firm and effective at mashing soft foods. A 10-month-old with zero teeth can handle cooked vegetables, soft fruits, scrambled eggs, avocado, pasta, toast, and many other finger foods. The key is texture — not teeth.
The foods that do require biting and tearing with front teeth (like biting into an apple) are not appropriate for babies anyway, regardless of how many teeth they have. And the foods that require grinding with molars (like raw carrots or nuts) are choking hazards for all children under 3 to 4 years old.
So if your baby is a late teether, continue offering age-appropriate solids just as you would for any baby their age. The teeth are not a prerequisite.
Even at 18 months with no teeth, the most common finding is that the teeth are present and developing normally in the jaw — they are simply delayed in erupting. Truly missing teeth (anodontia) is extremely rare.
Pediatricians see worried parents about late teething regularly, and their message is consistent: do not panic.
Late teething does not mean something is wrong with your baby. It does not indicate developmental delay, nutritional deficiency, or any other problem — especially if your baby is otherwise healthy, growing well, and hitting other milestones.
Teeth do not determine readiness for solids. Your baby can and should start solids around 6 months regardless of whether they have teeth. Gums work just fine for the foods babies should be eating.
There is no way to speed up teething. No supplement, food, teething toy, or gum massage will make teeth erupt faster. The teeth come when the teeth come.
The first dental visit should happen by age 1 — even without teeth. The AAP and AAPD recommend a first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth, whichever comes first. For a baby with no teeth at 12 months, this visit serves as a baseline check and an opportunity to discuss timing with a dental professional.
Before you worry, call your parents and your partner's parents. Ask when you each got your first teeth. If the answer is 'late,' you have your explanation. Teething timing is one of the most strongly inherited traits in early development. Some families simply have a pattern of late teething, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Fewer teeth means fewer teeth to worry about cleaning, fewer teeth exposed to potential decay from nighttime feeding, and a longer window before you need to worry about sugar and tooth enamel. Late teethers also have a shorter overall period of active teething, since all 20 teeth still need to be in by roughly age 3.
Babies are remarkably good at gumming soft foods. A baby with no teeth at 10 months can still eat appropriate finger foods, mashed foods, and soft solids. You do not need to wait for teeth to progress with solids — gums are surprisingly strong. Just continue offering age-appropriate textures.
Late teethers sometimes make up for lost time by getting several teeth close together. Your baby might go from zero to four teeth in a matter of weeks. This can mean a rough stretch of teething symptoms, but it also means the waiting is over faster.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If your baby has a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, is refusing to eat, or seems unusually unwell, contact your pediatrician — these symptoms are not typical of teething alone.
